Discovery Frames and Group Addressed Frames Transmission

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods for implementing discovery frames and group addressed frames communication. For example, some embodiments relate to a method including generating a first frame to be transmitted to a first electronic device. An association identifier (AID) value of the first frame is set to a first value to indicate that the first frame is an individually addressed frame addressed to the first electronic device. The method further includes generating a second frame to be transmitted to a group of one or more electronic devices. An AID value of the second frame is set to a second value different from the first value. The method also includes transmitting the first frame and the second frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/788,529, filed on Jan. 4, 2019, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The described embodiments generally relate to channel access in wirelesscommunications.

Related Art

The popularity of wireless networks continues to increase, includingwireless local area networks (WLAN). One wireless communicationtechnique for providing content to multiple devices includes theformation of a multicast group. For example, one device that is thesource of the multicast data (e.g., source device, source node, orsource) can transmit the multicast data to multiple devices that aremembers of the multicast group (e.g., sink devices, sink nodes, orsinks.) By using the multicast group and multicast transmission, theresources for generating the data, processing the data, andcommunicating the data can be shared between multiple devices.Therefore, the overall air time, the air interface capacity, and powerconsumption can be improved.

According to some examples, the multicast communication can be based oncommunication techniques compatible with Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards. For example, themulticast communication can be used within a wireless local area Network(WLAN). In this example, one station, such as an access point (AP) canoperate as the source device.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods forimplementing discovery frames and group addressed frames communication.

Some embodiments relate to a method including generating a first frameto be transmitted to a first electronic device. An associationidentifier (AID) value of the first frame is set to a first value toindicate that the first frame is an individually addressed frameaddressed to the first electronic device. The method further includesgenerating a second frame to be transmitted to a group of one or moreelectronic devices. An AID value of the second frame is set to a secondvalue different from the first value. The method also includestransmitting the first frame and the second frame.

Some embodiments relate to a method including aggregating two or moregroup addressed media access control (MAC) service data units (MSDUs) togenerate a physical layer convergence protocol data unit (PPDU) andtransmitting the PPDU to a group of one or more electronic devices.

Some embodiments relate to an electronic device. The electronic deviceincludes a transceiver that transmits and receives wirelesscommunications and one or more processors communicatively coupled to thetransceiver. The one or more processors generate a first frame to betransmitted to a first electronic device. An association identifier(AID) value of the first frame is set to a first value to indicate thatthe first frame is an individually addressed frame addressed to thefirst electronic device. The one or more processors further generate asecond frame to be transmitted to a group of one or more electronicdevices. An AID value of the second frame is set to a second valuedifferent from the first value. The one or more processors furthertransmit, using the transceiver, the first frame and the second frame.

Some embodiments relate to an electronic device. The electronic deviceincludes a transceiver that transmits and receives wirelesscommunications and one or more processors communicatively coupled to thetransceiver. The one or more processors aggregate two or more groupaddressed media access control (MAC) service data units (MSDUs) togenerate a physical layer convergence protocol data unit (PPDU) andtransmit, using the transceiver, the PPDU to a group of one or moreelectronic devices.

Some embodiments relate to a non-transitory computer-readable mediumstoring instructions. When the instructions are executed by a processorof an electronic device, the instructions cause the processor to performoperations including generating a first frame to be transmitted to afirst electronic device. An association identifier (AID) value of thefirst frame is set to a first value to indicate that the first frame isan individually addressed frame addressed to the first electronicdevice. The operations further include generating a second frame to betransmitted to a group of one or more electronic devices. An AID valueof the second frame is set to a second value different from the firstvalue. The operations further include transmitting the first frame andthe second frame.

Some embodiments relate to a non-transitory computer-readable mediumstoring instructions. When the instructions are executed by a processorof an electronic device, the instructions cause the processor to performoperations including aggregating two or more group addressed mediaaccess control (MAC) service data units (MSDUs) to generate a physicallayer convergence protocol data unit (PPDU) and transmitting the PPDU toa group of one or more electronic devices.

This Summary is provided merely for purposes of illustrating someembodiments to provide an understanding of the subject matter describedherein. Accordingly, the above-described features are merely examplesand should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subjectmatter in this disclosure. Other features, aspects, and advantages ofthis disclosure will become apparent from the following DetailedDescription, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form partof the specification, illustrate the presented disclosure and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure and enable a person of skill in the relevant art(s) to makeand use the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system implementing discovery frames andgroup addressed frames communication, according to some embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless system of anelectronic device implementing discovery frames and group addressedframes communication, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary HE SU PPDU for implementing discoveryframes and group addressed frames communication, according to someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary HE MU PPDU for implementing discoveryframes and group addressed frames communication, according to someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example A-MPDU format, according to someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example A-MSDU format, according to someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate exemplary methods to request blockacknowledgments for group addressed frames, according to someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an example computer system for implementing some embodimentsor portion(s) thereof.

The present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, generally, like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, generally, theleft-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in whichthe reference number first appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods forimplementing discovery frames and group addressed frames communication.

According to some embodiments of this disclosure specific Associationidentifiers (AID) are used to distinguish between different framescommunicated between electronic devices. Additionally, some embodimentsof this disclosure are directed to use basic service set (BSS) specificAIDs for transmission of group addressed frames. According to somefurther embodiments of this disclosure, one or more group addressedframes can be aggregated as broadcast and/or multicast frames.

In general, the information communicated between the electronic devicesin the disclosed embodiments may be conveyed in packets or frames thatare transmitted and received by radios in the electronic devices inaccordance with a communication protocol such as an Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, Bluetooth™(from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group of Kirkland, Wash.), acellular-telephone communication protocol, and/or another type ofwireless interface (such as a peer-to-peer communication technique. Someof the embodiments are discussed with respect to wireless local areaNetwork (WLAN), but the embodiments of this disclosure are not limitedto WLAN.

According to some embodiments, the multicast communication can beimplemented using Groupcast with retries (GCR), which is a scalabletransmission mechanism that improves reliability of multicast packetdelivery. In the multicast communication, a source electronic device isconfigured to transmit multicast packets (also referred herein as groupaddressed frames too) (e.g., is configured to multicast the packets) tomembers of a multicast group. In some examples, the multicastcommunication does not use any feedback (e.g., acknowledgment) from themembers of the multicast group (e.g., the sink electronic devices.) Inother words, no acknowledgment from the sink electronic devices is used.In these examples, the source electronic device can be configured toretransmit all or a selected group of the multicast packets without anyacknowledgments.

In another example, the multicast communication can use blockacknowledgments from the sink electronic devices. In this example, aftertransmitting the multicast packets, the source electronic device canrequest block acknowledgments from one or more members of the multicastgroup. The source electronic device may retransmit the failed multicastpacket(s) to the members of the multicast group as retransmittedmulticast packet(s) (e.g., group addressed packet(s)/frames). Yet inanother example, the multicast communication can use blockacknowledgments from the sink electronic devices but the sourceelectronic device may retransmit the failed multicast packet(s) asindividually addressed packet(s)/frame(s) to the sink electronic devicesthat did not receive the multicast packet(s).

In addition to the communication between the source electronic deviceand the sink electronic devices that are members of a multicast group,the source electronic device can communicate with other associatedelectronic devices and/or with unassociated electronic device(s).According to some embodiments, the unassociated electronic devices caninclude electronic devices that are not associated with the sourceelectronic device and/or are not part of a multicast group.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 implementing discovery framesand group addressed frames communication, according to some embodimentsof the disclosure. Example system 100 is provided for the purpose ofillustration only and does not limit the disclosed embodiments. System100 may include, but is not limited to, electronic devices 110, 120 andnetwork 130. Electronic devices 110 and 120 a-120 d may include, but arenot limited to, WLAN stations such as wireless communication devices,smart phones, laptops, desktops, tablets, personal assistants, monitors,and televisions. Electronic devices 110 and 120 a-120 d may supportlatency sensitive applications (e.g., video and/or audio streaming.)

According to some embodiments, electronic device 110 may include asource electronic device 110 and electronic devices 120 a-120 c mayinclude sink electronic devices. For example, source electronic device110 may be an access point (AP) in WLAN or a source device in anothersource-sink scenario (e.g., in peer-to-peer communication applications.)In this example, source electronic device 110 may include, but is notlimited to, WLAN electronic devices such as a wireless router, awearable device (e.g., a smart watch), a wireless communication device(e.g., a smart phone), or a combination thereof. Network 130 may be theInternet and/or a WLAN.

Source electronic device 110 transmits multicast packets to members ofmulticast group 150 including electronic devices 120 a-120 c. Thecommunication between source electronic device 110 and the members ofmulticast group 150 can take place using wireless communications 140a-140 c. The wireless communications 140 a-140 c can be based on a widevariety of wireless communication techniques. These techniques caninclude, but are not limited to, techniques based on IEEE 802.11standards (such as, but not limited to IEEE 802.11v, IEEE 802.11ax,etc.).

Additionally, or alternatively, source electronic device 110 cancommunicate with electronic device 120 d. According to some embodiments,electronic device 120 d can be an unassociated electronic device (e.g.,an electronic device that is not associated with source electronicdevice 110 and/or is not part of multicast group 150.) The communicationbetween source electronic device 110 and electronic device 120 d cantake place using wireless communication 140 d. The wirelesscommunication 140 d can be based on a wide variety of wirelesscommunication techniques. These techniques can include, but are notlimited to, techniques based on IEEE 802.11 standards (such as, but notlimited to IEEE 802.11v, IEEE 802.11ax, etc.).

According to some embodiments, the source electronic device can usephysical layer convergence protocol data unit (PPDU) to communicate withthe sink electronic devices, other associated electronic devices (notshown), and/or the unassociated electronic devices. In a non-limitingexample (e.g., used in accordance with IEEE 802.11ax), the electronicdevices can use single user (SU) PPDUs and/or multi user (MU) PPDUs tocommunicate data and information. When communicating with electronicdevices 120 a-d, source electronic device 110 may use a value forAssociation ID (AID) to indicate traffic (e.g., any frame transmission)intended for unassociated electronic device 120 d. For example, sourceelectronic device 110 can use the value of the AID to indicate that aresource unit (RU) associated with a MU PPDU contains a discovery frameand/or other frames for unassociated electronic device 120 d. Thetraffic can include individually addressed Probe Responses, individuallyaddressed Association Responses, broadcast addressed Probe Responses,fast initial link setup (FILS) Discovery frames, access network queryprotocol (ANQP) result frames, individually addressed ANQP query resultframes, and the like. As a non-liming example, source electronic device110 can use a value of 2045 for the AID value to indicate an RU in a MUPPDU carrying traffic intended for unassociated electronic device 120 d.

According to some embodiments, source electronic device 110 can usedifferent values of AID to indicate different traffic. Source electronicdevice 110 can use a first value of AID to indicate transmission ofbroadcast Probe Responses and FILS Discovery frames, according to someembodiments. For example, Source electronic device 110 can use the firstvalue of AID to indicate transmission of broadcast Probe Responses andFILS Discovery frames to members of multicast group 150 includingelectronic devices 120 a-120 c and/or unassociated electronic device 120d. For example, if a beacon is transmitted in a MU PPDU, then the firstvalue of AID can identify the RU where the beacon is transmitted. In anon-limiting example, the first value of AID can include the value 2045.

In some embodiments, source electronic device 110 may receive multipleProbe Requests requesting similar information from the source electronicdevice 110. The source electronic device 110 may decide to respond withan individually addressed Probe Response to a requesting device or witha broadcast addressed Probe Response to multiple requesting devices. Toensure that the requesting device receives the Probe Response, both theindividually addressed and broadcast addressed Probe Responses aretransmitted with the same AID value.

In some embodiments, a MU PPDU may transmit only broadcast addressedProbe Responses to unassociated electronic devices. This ensures thatall devices can receive the Probe Response frame.

In some embodiments, a MU PPDU may transmit an individually addressedProbe Response or an individually addressed ANQP Response to anassociated STA in an RU identified by the AID value of the associatedSTA.

Additionally, source electronic device 110 can use a second value of AIDto indicate transmission of all other frames to unassociated electronicdevice 120 d. The other frames can include ANQP query responses,individually addressed Probe Responses, individually addressedAssociation Responses, and individually addressed AuthenticationResponses according to some embodiments. In a non-limiting example, thesecond value of AID can include the value 2044. In some embodiments,unassociated electronic device 120 d, which has sent a request to sourceelectronic device 110, receives an individually addressed responsetransmitted in an RU with the AID having the second value.

In some embodiments, source electronic device 110 may receive multipleANQP requests that request the same information. The ANQP requests mayallow the source electronic device 110 to respond with an individuallyaddressed response to a requesting device or with a broadcast addressedresponse to all requesting devices. The individually and broadcastaddressed can use the second AID value, so that the requestingelectronic devices know which RU they should receive in a MU PPDU andthe source electronic device 110 has flexibility to select individuallyor broadcast addressed frame depending on the number of unassociatedelectronic devices requesting the same information.

A device that receives a preamble of an MU PPDU may decide based on theAID values whether it receives an RU of the MU PPDU or stops receivingthe MU PPDU and is available to synchronize with a preamble of otherPPDU. For instance, a device that is looking for available BSSs forassociation may only receive MU PPDUs that contain AID value allocatingan RU for transmission of Probe Responses or FILS Discovery frames inthe MU PPDU. Alternatively, if an electronic device has transmitted anassociation request, the electronic device may only receive MU PPDUsthat contain AID value allocating an RU for transmission of associationresponse.

Source electronic device 110 is configured to transmit group addressedframes to members of multicast group 150 including electronic devices120 a-120 c. According to some embodiments, a first value of AID isassociated with the group addressed frames transmitted by sourceelectronic device 110. As a non-limiting example, an AID value of 0 canbe used for all group addressed frames transmitted by source electronicdevice 110. The group addressed frames can be transmitted using SU PPDU,according to some example.

According to some embodiments, the group addressed frames can betransmitted using MU PPDU. Additionally, or alternatively, sourceelectronic device 110 can include a multi basic service set (MultiBSS)access point (AP). According to some embodiments, BSSs are units ofdevices operating with same medium access characteristics (e.g., radiofrequency, modulation scheme, etc.) In some example, source electronicdevice 110 can include a MultiBSS at 6 GHz. According to someembodiments, source electronic device 110 can be configured to hostmultiple BSSs and serve the BSSs with the same beacon frame. Whenmultiple BSSs operate in the same channel, source electronic device 110can transmit group addressed frames separately for each BSS at thechannel.

According to one embodiment, an MultiBSS AP may transmit a MU PPDU inwhich the AID value 0 identifies RU for group addressed frames trafficand AID values of individually addressed frames transmission to anassociated electronic device if the group addressed traffic istransmitted to other BSS than the individually addressed traffic.

When a single AID value 0 identifies RU allocated for group addressedframes, then an associated electronic device that receives an MU PPDUwill receive the RU that indicates transmission of individuallyaddressed frames. If such RU is not present, then the receiving devicewill receive the RU allocated for group addressed frames delivery.

According to these examples, group addressed frames associated to eachBSS can be assigned their specific AID value. In other words, BSSspecific AID value is assigned to transmit the group addressed frames.In some embodiments, using BSS specific AID value can allowtransmissions of multiple group addressed frames at the same, orsubstantially the same, time. According to some embodiments, a new AIDof the BSS specific group addressed frames field can be included in theAssociation Response. This AID value can identify group addressed framestransmission to the associated electronic devices at the BSS. Forexample, BSS specific group addressed frames AID value can be used inbeacons to indicate transmission of buffered broadcast and multicastframes to the BSS. The BSS specific group addressed frames AID value canalso be used in downlink (DL) MU PPDU to indicate the transmission ofbroadcast and multicast frames to the BSS.

Additionally, or alternatively, BSS specific AID value can be assignedto retransmit the group addressed packets. In these embodiments, ifretransmission scheme is used, a sink electronic device can detectwhether some transmitted packets are retransmission packets and decidewhether to receive the packets. According to some examples, blockacknowledgment and retransmission can follow individually addressedpackets retransmission and/or Groupcast with retries (GCR) blockacknowledgment mechanism.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the group addressed frames canbe transmitted using MU PPDU. According to some embodiments, packetsassociated with different BSSs can be transmitted in the same MU PPDU.Additionally, or alternatively, according to some exemplary embodimentsthe group addressed frames and individually addressed frames that areassociated with the same BSS may not be transmitted in the same MU PPDU.

According to some embodiments, an AID value (such as, but not limitedto, 2045) identifies beacon transmission in a MU PPDU, and the other RUsin the MU PPDU may carry individually addressed frames. In someexamples, the individually addressed frames can be transmitted toelectronic devices (e.g., electronic devices 120 a-d) that are in activemode. However, the electronic devices that receive the MU PPDU arerotated. Therefore, the electronic devices are configured to receive thebeacons in order to maintain their synchronization with sourceelectronic device 110.

According to some embodiments, the group addressed frames can betransmitted as one media access control (MAC) service data unit (MSDU)per PPDU. Aggregated MSDU (A-MSDU) can be used to transmit individuallyaddressed frames. For example, a Directed Multicast Service (DMS)signaling can be used between source electronic device 110 andelectronic device 120 a (as one example) to setup a transmission scheme,where a copy of frames from the group addressed frames can betransmitted to electronic device 120 a using the individual address ofelectronic device 120 a using A-MSDU. The transmission of theindividually addressed copy can be in addition to the transmission ofthe group addressed frames, according to some embodiments.

According to some embodiments, a PPDU may include one or more MACprotocol data units (MPDUs) and/or one or more aggregated MPDUs(A-MPDUs). For example, a PPDU can include one or more A-MPDU subframes.According to some embodiments, each A-MPDU and/or A-MSDU may be used toaggregate broadcast frames and/or multicast frames. For example, groupaddressed frames associated with one or more group addresses can betransmitted in an SU PPDU. Additionally, or alternatively, groupaddressed frames associated with one or more group addresses can betransmitted using RUs in an MU PPDU. According to some embodiments, theaggregation enables the transmitter to control the payload size, whichcan reduce overheads and assist in increasing the transmission payloadto relevant RU sizes in the MU PPDU. According to some embodiments, anA-MPDU aggregates group addressed frames associated with the same BSS.Additionally, or alternatively, an A-MSDU aggregates MSDUs that havesame group addressed destination address.

Therefore, A-MPDU and/or A-MSDU can aggregate the BSS specific groupaddressed frames. One PPDU can carry multiple group addressed MSDUs,according to some embodiments. Electronic devices in a multicast group(e.g., electronic devices 120 a-c) and/or an unassociated electronicdevice (e.g., unassociated electronic device 120 d) can receive groupaddressed frames in A-MPDU and A-MSDU format in HE SU, HE ER SU, SU,and/or MU PPDUs. The electronic devices can use block acknowledgment andretransmissions for group addressed frames. However, if an electronicdevice supports block acknowledgment and retransmissions for groupaddressed frames, the electronic device may select not to activate them.

In some embodiments, the minimum number of MPDUs that can be aggregatedto an A-MPDU can be specified. As a non-limiting example, in IEEE802.11ax, an electronic device operating in 6 GHz can be capable toreceive an A-MPDU that aggregates 8 or less MPDUs. According to someembodiments, a maximum number of the MPDUs in an A-MPDU can be signaledduring an acknowledgment scheme setup (for example, using Add BlockAcknowledgment (ADDBA) request/response frames.) ADDBA signaling can setup the block acknowledgment transmission scheme and can enable atransmitter (e.g., source electronic device 110) to request blockacknowledgment to determine whether sink electronic devices havereceived the transmitted packets. In some embodiments, ADDBA can be usedto define a window size, number of MPDUs, and whether a receiver deviceis capable of receiving and/or acknowledging.

According to some embodiments, the electronic devices 120 a-d and 110can communicate their block acknowledgment and retransmissions for groupaddressed frames. For example, the electronic device 120 may set a GroupAddressed Retransmission Capability field value to a first value(e.g., 1) to indicate that the electronic device 120 is capable to useblock acknowledgment and retransmissions for group addressed frames. Insome embodiments, the electronic device 120 can use a frame inAssociation, Beacon, and/or Probe Response frames to signal itscapability.

According to some embodiments, a Group Addressed RetransmissionActivated field value can be set to a first value (e.g., 1) to indicatein transmitted (re)-association request and/or (re)-association responseframes that a block acknowledgment agreement is established between thesource electronic device 110 and the electronic device 120. In someexamples, the source electronic device 110 can be the transmitter forthe Group Addressed Retransmission Activated field value and theelectronic device 120 can be receiver. The electronic device 120attempts to receive the transmitted group addressed frames and cantransmit block acknowledgment, as requested by the source electronicdevice.

According to some embodiments, the source electronic device 110 canassign an AID value that identifies the RUs in MU PPDU allocated for theGCR multicast retransmissions and for GCR MU BAR frames. In someexamples, if an electronic device 120 is not interested to receiveretransmissions, it is not required to receive these frames. In someembodiments, the GCR MU BAR is a trigger frame requesting blockacknowledgments for the transmitted group addressed frames. Anelectronic device 120 may establish block acknowledgment later usingADDBA signaling.

In some exemplary embodiments, the source electronic device 110 can usedifferent methods to request block acknowledgments for group addressedframes. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the source electronicdevice 110 may transmit a MU PPDU 500 to transmit data and request forblock acknowledgments for group addressed frames. MU PPDU 500 caninclude MU preamble 503 and data 505. MU preamble 503 can include BSSspecific AID for group addressed frames, according to some embodiments.The data 505 can include group addressed frames and GCR blockacknowledgment request (BAR) frames, which specify the electronicdevices 120 from which block acknowledgement is requested, and the RUsto transmit the block acknowledgments. FIG. 5A also illustrates a PPDU507 (e.g., a high efficiency (HE) Triggered PPDU) that includes theblock acknowledgments.

Additionally, or alternatively, and as illustrated in FIG. 5B, thesource electronic device 120 may transmit MU PPDU 510 to transmit thegroup addressed frames. MU PPDU 510 may include MU preamble 513 and data515. MU preamble 513 can include BSS specific AID for group addressedframes, according to some embodiments. The data 515 can include thegroup addressed frames. After MU PPDU 510, the source electronic device110 may transmit MU PPDU 516. MU PPDU 516 can include MU preamble 517and data 519. MU preamble 517 can include BSS specific AID fortransmission and/or retransmission group addressed frames, according tosome embodiments. The data 519 can include GCR block acknowledgmentrequest (BAR) frames that specify the electronic devices 120 thatacknowledge and the RUs to transmit the block acknowledgments. FIG. 5Balso illustrates a PPDU 521 (e.g., a HE Triggered PPDU) that includesthe block acknowledgments.

According to some embodiments, the maximum number of group addressedMPDUs in an A-MPDU that a receiver (e.g., sink electronic device 120 a)is configured to receive can be signaled using association signaling.For example, when sink electronic device 120 a is in the process ofassociating with source electronic device 110, sink electronic device120 a uses the association signaling to inform source electronic device110 of the maximum number of group addressed MPDUs in an A-MPDU thatsink electronic device 120 a is configured to receive. According to someembodiments, source electronic device 110 can use the smallest number ofMPDUs supported by all the receivers. For example, source electronicdevice 110 can use the smallest number of MPDUs supported by sinkelectronic devices 120 a-c of multicast group 150. In these exemplaryembodiments, source electronic device 110 selects the maximum number ofgroup addressed MPDUs in an A-MPDU such that sink electronic devices 120a-c can receive the group addressed multicast packets. In a non-limitingexample using IEEE 802.11ax, an EHT device can be capable of receiving64 or more group addressed MPDUs in an A-MPDU. In this example, 20MHz-devices can be capable of receiving 8 or more group addressed MPDUsin an A-MPDU. Internet of things (IoT) devices may have limitedcapabilities.

In some exemplary embodiments, a sink electronic device such as an IoTdevice may not be configured to receive group addressed MPDUs in anA-MPDU. This IoT device can request that some group addressed frames notto be aggregated because this IoT device may not be capable to receivegroup addressed MPDUs in the A-MPDU. According to some examples, the IoTdevice can signal its inability to receive group addressed MPDUs in theA-MPDU to source electronic device 110 using Association request frame.

According to some embodiments, source electronic device 110 may transmita copy of the group addressed frames to an individual address of the IoTdevice using, for example DMS mechanism. Source electronic device 110may transmit the group addressed frames in A-MPDU to other sinkelectronic devices. In some examples, this process can be a defaultprocess for source electronic device 110. This process can help the IoTdevice to keep its power consumption low as the IoT device can avoidreceiving group addressed multicast packets.

Additionally, or alternatively, source electronic device 110 maytransmit the group addressed frames for the IoT device, and other sinkelectronic device(s) in the multicast group with the IoT device, withoutaggregation. In some example, same SU PPDU can be used for the IoTdevice and other sink electronic device(s) in the multicast group withthe IoT device. According to some embodiments, source electronic device110 may not use A-MSDU for any group addressed multicast packets. As anon-limiting example, source electronic device 110 that has multipleassociated IoT devices may not use A-MSDU for any group addressedmulticast packets.

According to some exemplary embodiments, A-MSDU can be used to aggregategroup addressed MSDUs. For example, source electronic device 110 can beconfigured to use A-MSDU to aggregate group addressed MSDUs. Accordingto some example, the aggregated MSDUs have the same receiver address. Inother words, the aggregated MSDUs are transmitted to the same groupaddress. In some examples, the aggregation of MSDUs is different thanthe aggregation of MPDUs as the MSDUs addressed to the same MAC addressare aggregated.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless system 200 ofan electronic device implementing discovery frames and group addressedframes communication, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.System 200 may be any of the electronic devices (e.g., electronicdevices 110, 120) of system 100.

System 200 includes processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU))210, transceiver 220, communication interface 230, communicationinfrastructure 240, memory 250, and antenna 260. Illustrated systems areprovided as exemplary parts of wireless system 200, and system 200 caninclude other circuit(s) and subsystem(s). Also, although the systems ofwireless system 200 are illustrated as separate components, theembodiments of this disclosure can include any combination of these,less, or more components.

Memory 250 may include random access memory (RAM) and/or cache, and mayinclude control logic (e.g., computer software) and/or data. Memory 250may include other storage devices or memory such as, but not limited to,a hard disk drive and/or a removable storage device/unit. According tosome examples, an operating system (not shown) can be stored in memory250 and can manage transfer of data from memory 250 and/or one or moreapplications (not shown) to processor 210, transceiver 220, and/orcommunication interface 230. In some examples, the operating systemmaintains one or more network protocol stacks (e.g., Internet protocolstack, cellular protocol stack, and the like) that can include a numberof logical layers. At corresponding layers of the protocol stack, theoperating system includes control mechanism and data structures toperform the functions associated with that layer.

In addition to or in alternate to the operating system, system 200 caninclude communication infrastructure 240. Communication infrastructure240 provides communication between, for example, processor 210,transceiver 220, communication interface 230, and memory 250.Communication infrastructure 240 may be a bus. processor 210 togetherwith instructions stored in memory 250 perform operations enablingwireless system 200 to implement the discovery frames and groupaddressed frames communication operation(s) as described herein.

Transceiver 220 transmits and receives communications signals thatsupport discovery frames and group addressed frames communication,according to some embodiments, and may be coupled to antenna 260.Antenna 260 may include one or more antennas that may be the same ordifferent types. Communication interface 230 allows system 200 tocommunicate with other devices that may be wired and/or wireless.Transceiver 220 and/or communication interface 230 can includeprocessors, controllers, radios, sockets, plugs, and likecircuits/devices used for connecting to and communication on networks.According to some examples, transceiver 220 and/or communicationinterface 230 includes one or more circuits to connect to andcommunicate on wired and/or wireless networks. Transceiver 220 and/orcommunication interface 230 can include a cellular subsystem, a WLANsubsystem, and a Bluetooth™ subsystem, each including its own radiotransceiver and protocol(s) as will be understood by those skilled artsbased on the discussion provided herein. Transceiver 220 and/orcommunication interface 230 can include more or less systems forcommunicating with other devices.

Cellular subsystem (not shown) can include one or more circuits(including a cellular transceiver) for connecting to and communicatingon cellular networks. The cellular networks can include, but are notlimited to, 3G/4G/5G networks such as Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and thelike. Bluetooth™ subsystem (not shown) can include one or more circuits(including a Bluetooth™ transceiver) to enable connection(s) andcommunication based on, for example, Bluetooth™ protocol, the Bluetooth™Low Energy protocol, or the Bluetooth™ Low Energy Long Range protocol.WLAN subsystem (not shown) can include one or more circuits (including aWLAN transceiver) to enable connection(s) and communication over WLANnetworks such as, but not limited to networks based on standardsdescribed in IEEE 802.11 (such as, but not limited, IEEE 802.11, IEEE802.11v, IEEE 802.11ax, etc.)

According to some embodiments, processor 210, alone or in combinationwith instructions stored on memory 250, transceiver 220, and/orcommunication interface 230, implements the discovery frames and groupaddressed frames communication, as discussed herein.

According to some embodiments, four high efficiency (HE) PPDU formatscan be defined: HE SU PPDU, HE MU PPDU, HE ER SU PPDU and HE TB PPDU.FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary HE SU PPDU for implementing discoveryframes and group addressed frames communication, according to someembodiments of the disclosure. HE SU PPDU 300 can be used for SUtransmission.

According to some embodiments, HE SU PPDU 300 includes one or morelegacy preambles 301, one or more HE SU preamble 303, and data 305. Eachof the legacy preamble 301 and/or the HE SU preamble 303 may be spreadover a 20 MHz channel, according to some examples. However, theembodiments of this disclosure are not limited to these channels.According to some embodiments, the data 305 of HE SU PPDU 300 caninclude one or more A-MPDU subframes 307 a-307 d, as discussed above. Insome embodiments, if an electronic device (e.g., electronic devices 110and/or 120 a-120 d) receives HE SU PPDU 300, the electronic devicereceives the whole data 305 of the HE SU PPDU 300. In some exemplaryembodiments, HE SU PPDU 300 can also include a packet extension (PE)field (not shown) after the data 305.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary HE MU PPDU 320 for implementingdiscovery frames and group addressed frames communication, according tosome embodiments of the disclosure. HE MU PPDU 320 can be used fortransmission to one or more users if the PPDU is not a response of aTrigger frame. According to some embodiments, HE MU PPDU 320 includesone or more legacy preambles 321, one or more HE MU preamble 323, anddata 325. Each of the legacy preamble 321 and/or the HE MU preamble 323may be spread over a 20 MHz channel, according to some examples.However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to thesechannels. According to some embodiments, the data 325 of HE MU PPDU 320can include data for different resource units (RUs). In other words,each RU contains associated data. Data for each RU can include one ormore A-MPDU subframes 327 a-327 d, as discussed above. In someembodiments, if an electronic device (e.g., electronic devices 110and/or 120 a-120 d) receives HE MU PPDU 320, the electronic devicereceives a single RU that has AID value in HE MU preamble 323, which theelectronic device is receiving. The RUs may be specified in spatialstreams as in MU MIMO or in frequency as in OFDMA transmissions. In someexemplary embodiments, HE MU PPDU 320 can also include a packetextension (PE) field after the data 325.

The legacy preambles 301, 321, the HE SU preambles 303, and the HE MUpreambles 323 can include one or more parts as defined, for example, inIEEE 802.11ax. According to some embodiment, HE ER SU PPDU can also bedefined and can be used for SU transmission. Additionally, HE TB PPDUcan also be defined and can be used for a transmission that is aresponse to a Trigger frame or a frame carrying a TRS Control subfieldfrom an AP.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example A-MPDU format, according to someembodiments of the disclosure. For example, FIG. 4A illustrates anexemplary format of A-MPDU 401. According to some embodiments, A-MPDU401 includes a sequence of one or more A-MPDU subframes 402 a-n and avariable amount of end of frame (EOF) padding 403. The numbers (hereillustrated as variable) under each field of A-MPDU 401 represent anexemplary size of the respective field of A-MPDU 401 in octets.

Each A-MPDU subframe (e.g., A-MPDU subframe 402 b) can include MPDUdelimiter 404 optionally followed by an MPDU 407. Each nonfinal A-MPDUsubframe in an A-MPDU has padding 406 appended. The numbers under eachfield of A-MPDU subframe 402 represent an exemplary size of therespective field in bytes.

MPDU delimiter 404 can include one or more fields such as an end offrame indication, information on MPDU length, cyclic redundancy checks(CRC), and/or a unique pattern. Padding 406 can include frame checksequence (FCS) for error-detection and/or additional padding (e.g., 0 to3 bytes) to compensate for different lengths of different MPDUs. MPDU407 can include media access control (MAC) header 405, MAC service dataunit (MSDU) and/or aggregated MSDU (A-MDSU) 421, and frame checksequence (FCS) 415, according to some embodiments. If MPDU 407 includesA-MSDU 421, the A-MSDU can include one or more A-MSDU subframes, whereeach A-MSDU subframe can include an A-MSDU subframe header, an MSDU, anda padding, according to some embodiments. A-MSDU 421 is discussed belowwith respect to FIG. 4B.

MPDU 407 containing the A-MSDU 421 can be carried in any of thefollowing data frame subtypes: QoS Data, QoS Data+CF-Ack, QoSData+CF-Poll, QoS Data+CF-Ack+CF-Poll. The A-MSDU structure 421 can becontained in the frame body of a single MPDU 407, according to someembodiments.

According to some embodiments, when A-MPDU 401 carries group addressedMSDUs or A-MSDUs 421, MPDUs 407 may have same source address and may betransmitted to a group address. MPDUs 407 in A-MPDU 401 can betransmitted in a sequence number order. In other words, the smallestsequence number can be transmitted first. According to some example,MPDUs 407 in A-MPDU 401 can have the same TID value.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example A-MSDU format, according to someembodiments of the disclosure. For example, FIG. 4B illustrates anexemplary format of A-MSDU 421. According to some embodiments, A-MSDU421 includes a sequence of one or more A-MSDU subframes 422 a-n.

Each A-MSDU subframe 422 can include one or more of a basic A-MSDUsubframe, a short A-MSDU subframe, or a dynamic A-MSDU subframe. Thestructure of a basic A-MSDU is illustrated in FIG. 4B. For example,A-MSDU 422 b can include A-MSDU subframe header 428 followed by MSDU 426and padding 427, according to some embodiments. The numbers under eachfield of A-MSDU subframe 422 represent an exemplary size of therespective field in bytes. In some examples, the last A-MSDU subframe(e.g., A-MSDU subframe 422 n of A-MSDU 421) has no padding.

According to some embodiments, A-MSDU subframe header 428 can includethree fields: destination address (DA) 423, source address (SA) 424, andLength 425. According to some examples, length field 425 contains thelength in octets of the MSDU 426.

According to some embodiments, A-MSDU 421 includes MSDUs 426 whose DA423 and SA 424 parameter values map to the same receiver address (RA)and transmitter address (TA) values. The rules for determining RA and TAcan be independent of whether the frame body carries an A-MSDU.Additionally, or alternatively, it is possible to have different DA 423and SA 424 parameter values in A-MSDU subframe headers 428 of the sameA-MSDU 421 as long as they map to the same Address 1 and Address 2parameter values.

According to some embodiments, if A-MSDU subframe 422 is a short A-MSDUsubframe, A-MSDU subframe 422 may have a length field, MSDU field, and apadding field. According to some embodiments, if A-MSDU subframe 422 isa dynamic A-MSDU subframe, A-MSDU subframe 422 may have a subframecontrol field, optional DA field, optional SA field, MSDU field, and apadding field.

According to some embodiments, when A-MSDU 421 carries group addressedMSDUs 426, SA 424 of A-MSDU subframes 422 may be set to the BSSID.Additionally, or alternatively, A-MSDU 421 may contain MSDUs 426associated with the same group address. In some examples, MSDUs 426 canbe aggregated to A-MSDU 421 in a sequence number order. In other words,the smallest sequence number can be aggregated first. In a non-limitingexample, the size of MSDU 426 may be limited to 2304 octets. Accordingto some embodiments, the same TID value may be used for the MSDUs 426.

Various embodiments can be implemented, for example, using one or morecomputer systems, such as computer system 600 shown in FIG. 6. Computersystem 600 can be any well-known computer capable of performing thefunctions described herein such as devices 110, 120 of FIG. 1, or 200 ofFIG. 2. Computer system 600 includes one or more processors (also calledcentral processing units, or CPUs), such as a processor 604. Processor604 is connected to a communication infrastructure 606 (e.g., a bus.)Computer system 600 also includes user input/output device(s) 603, suchas monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc., that communicate withcommunication infrastructure 606 through user input/output interface(s)602. Computer system 600 also includes a main or primary memory 608,such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory 608 may include one ormore levels of cache. Main memory 608 has stored therein control logic(e.g., computer software) and/or data.

Computer system 600 may also include one or more secondary storagedevices or memory 610. Secondary memory 610 may include, for example, ahard disk drive 612 and/or a removable storage device or drive 614.Removable storage drive 614 may be a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tapedrive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backupdevice, and/or any other storage device/drive.

Removable storage drive 614 may interact with a removable storage unit618. Removable storage unit 618 includes a computer usable or readablestorage device having stored thereon computer software (control logic)and/or data. Removable storage unit 618 may be a floppy disk, magnetictape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, and/any other computerdata storage device. Removable storage drive 614 reads from and/orwrites to removable storage unit 618 in a well-known manner.

According to some embodiments, secondary memory 610 may include othermeans, instrumentalities or other approaches for allowing computerprograms and/or other instructions and/or data to be accessed bycomputer system 600. Such means, instrumentalities or other approachesmay include, for example, a removable storage unit 622 and an interface620. Examples of the removable storage unit 622 and the interface 620may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as thatfound in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROMor PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memorycard and associated memory card slot, and/or any other removable storageunit and associated interface.

Computer system 600 may further include a communication or networkinterface 624. Communication interface 624 enables computer system 600to communicate and interact with any combination of remote devices,remote networks, remote entities, etc. (individually and collectivelyreferenced by reference number 628). For example, communicationinterface 624 may allow computer system 600 to communicate with remotedevices 628 over communications path 626, which may be wired and/orwireless, and which may include any combination of LANs, WANs, theInternet, etc. Control logic and/or data may be transmitted to and fromcomputer system 600 via communication path 626.

The operations in the preceding embodiments can be implemented in a widevariety of configurations and architectures. Therefore, some or all ofthe operations in the preceding embodiments may be performed inhardware, in software or both. In some embodiments, a tangible,non-transitory apparatus or article of manufacture includes a tangible,non-transitory computer useable or readable medium having control logic(software) stored thereon is also referred to herein as a computerprogram product or program storage device. This includes, but is notlimited to, computer system 600, main memory 608, secondary memory 610and removable storage units 618 and 622, as well as tangible articles ofmanufacture embodying any combination of the foregoing. Such controllogic, when executed by one or more data processing devices (such ascomputer system 600), causes such data processing devices to operate asdescribed herein.

Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparentto persons skilled in the relevant art(s) how to make and useembodiments of the disclosure using data processing devices, computersystems and/or computer architectures other than that shown in FIG. 6.In particular, embodiments may operate with software, hardware, and/oroperating system implementations other than those described herein.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpretthe claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more,but not all, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure as contemplated bythe inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the disclosure orthe appended claims in any way.

While the disclosure has been described herein with reference toexemplary embodiments for exemplary fields and applications, it shouldbe understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Otherembodiments and modifications thereto are possible, and are within thescope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, and without limitingthe generality of this paragraph, embodiments are not limited to thesoftware, hardware, firmware, and/or entities illustrated in the figuresand/or described herein. Further, embodiments (whether or not explicitlydescribed herein) have significant utility to fields and applicationsbeyond the examples described herein.

Embodiments have been described herein with the aid of functionalbuilding blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functionsand relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of thedescription. Alternate boundaries can be defined as long as thespecified functions and relationships (or equivalents thereof) areappropriately performed. In addition, alternative embodiments mayperform functional blocks, steps, operations, methods, etc. usingorderings different from those described herein.

References herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an exampleembodiment,” or similar phrases, indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it would be within the knowledge of persons skilled in therelevant art(s) to incorporate such feature, structure, orcharacteristic into other embodiments whether or not explicitlymentioned or described herein.

The breadth and scope of the disclosure should not be limited by any ofthe above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a source electronic device,the method comprising: generating, by the source electronic device, afirst frame to be transmitted to a first electronic device, wherein anassociation identifier (AID) value of the first frame is set to a firstvalue to indicate that the first frame is an individually addressedframe addressed to the first electronic device; generating, by thesource electronic device, a second frame to be transmitted to a group ofone or more electronic devices, wherein an AID value of the second frameis set to a second value different from the first value; andtransmitting, by the source electronic device, the first frame and thesecond frame.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first electronicdevice is unassociated with the source electronic device and the groupof one or more electronic devices is associated with the sourceelectronic device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second framecomprises a broadcast frame and the second value indicates atransmission of the broadcast frame.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe second value comprises 2045 and the broadcast frame comprises atleast one of a broadcast probe response or a fast initial link setup(FILS) Discovery frame.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstvalue comprises 2044 and the first frame comprises at least one of anaccess network query protocol (ANQP) query response, an individuallyaddressed Probe Response, an individually addressed AuthenticationResponse, or an individually addressed Association Response.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the second frame comprises a group addressedframe transmitted to the group of one or more electronic devices and themethod further comprises: assigning a basic service set (BSS) specificAID value as the second value to the group addressed frame.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein generating the second frame comprises:aggregating two or more group addressed media access control (MAC)service data units (MSDUs) to generate a physical layer convergenceprotocol data unit (PPDU).
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein generatingthe PPDU further comprises: aggregating the two or more group addressedMSDUs to generate a first group addressed MAC protocol data unit (MPDU);and aggregating the first group addressed MPDU and a second groupaddressed MPDU to generate the PPDU, wherein the first MPDU and thesecond MPDU are associated with a same basic service set (BSS), whereinthe two or more group addressed MSDUs have same receiver addresses. 9.The method of claim 7, wherein the PPDU comprises at least one of asingle user (SU) PPDU or a multi user (MU) PPDU.
 10. A source electronicdevice, comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and receivewireless communications; and one or more processors communicativelycoupled to the transceiver and configured to: generate a first frame tobe transmitted to a first electronic device, wherein an associationidentifier (AID) value of the first frame is set to a first value toindicate that the first frame is an individually addressed frameaddressed to the first electronic device; generate a second frame to betransmitted to a group of one or more electronic devices, wherein an AIDvalue of the second frame is set to a second value different from thefirst value; and transmit, using the transceiver, the first frame andthe second frame.
 11. The source electronic device of claim 10, whereinthe source electronic device comprises an access point (AP), the firstelectronic device is unassociated with the access point, and the groupof one or more electronic devices is associated with the access point.12. The source electronic device of claim 10, wherein the second framecomprises a broadcast frame and the second value indicates atransmission of the broadcast frame.
 13. The source electronic device ofclaim 12, wherein the second value comprises 2045 and the broadcastframe comprises at least one of a broadcast probe response or a fastinitial link setup (FILS) Discovery frame.
 14. The source electronicdevice of claim 10, wherein the first value comprises 2044 and theindividually addressed frame comprises at least one of an access networkquery protocol (ANQP) query response, an individually addressedAuthentication Response, an individually addressed Probe Response, or anindividually addressed Association Response.
 15. The source electronicdevice of claim 10, wherein the second frame comprises a group addressedframe transmitted to the group of one or more electronic devices and theone or more processors are further configured to: assign a basic serviceset (BSS) specific AID value as the second value to the group addressedframe.
 16. The source electronic device of claim 10, wherein to generatethe second frame the one or more processors are configured to aggregatetwo or more group addressed media access control (MAC) service dataunits (MSDUs) to generate a physical layer convergence protocol dataunit (PPDU).
 17. The source electronic device of claim 16, wherein togenerate the PPDU the one or more processors are configured to:aggregate the two or more group addressed MSDUs to generate a firstgroup addressed MAC protocol data unit (MPDU); and the first groupaddressed MPDU and a second group addressed MPDU to generate the PPDU,wherein the first MPDU and the second MPDU are associated with a samebasic service set (BSS), wherein the two or more group addressed MSDUshave same receive addresses.
 18. The source electronic device of claim16, wherein the PPDU comprises at least one of a single user (SU) PPDUor a multi user (MU) PPDU.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumstoring instructions that, when executed by a processor of a sourceelectronic device, cause the processor to perform operations, theoperations comprising: generating a first frame to be transmitted to afirst electronic device, wherein an association identifier (AID) valueof the first frame is set to a first value to indicate that the firstframe is an individually addressed frame addressed to the firstelectronic device; generating a second frame to be transmitted to agroup of one or more electronic devices, wherein an AID value of thesecond frame is set to a second value different from the first value;and transmitting the first frame and the second frame.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the sourceelectronic device comprises an access point (AP), the first electronicdevice is unassociated with the access point, and the group of one ormore electronic devices is associated with the access point.